I hope he can continue - Martial backs Solskjaer for United job

Anthony Martial wants Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to remain as Manchester United manager and is enjoying the caretaker boss' "different intentions" when compared to predecessor Jose Mourinho.

Martial scored a superb solo goal in United's 3-0 win over Fulham on Saturday – a result that lifted them into the top four of the Premier League for the first time since the opening day of the season.

Ten wins from 11 unbeaten games under Solskjaer have restored a feel-good factor at Old Trafford and that is something Martial hopes the 45-year-old is given the opportunity to continue beyond his short-term deal, which runs until the end of the 2018-19 campaign.

"Well obviously things are going really well at the moment. We're really happy to have him here," the France forward told a news conference ahead of Tuesday's mouth-watering Champions League showdown against Paris Saint-Germain.

"Sure, I hope we can continue with him. The final decision isn't down to us but certainly we're happy he's here at the moment."

Martial was one of a number of United players to find himself in Mourinho's crosshairs as the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss criticised him for not returning to last year's pre-season tour following the birth of his child and also fined the 23-year-old.

An uneasy fit was also in evidence on the field, with Martial seemingly ill-suited to Mourinho's demands of wide attackers.

As has been the case for many of his team-mates, an upturn under Solskjaer has duly followed.

"We've got a coach who's got different intentions, a different approach," Martial said. "We're trying to do what he wants us to do.

"When our new coach came in he had a lot of confidence and a lot of determination. That's really a boost to us.

"He had a lot of confidence in us and we're trying to pay him back in kind.

"He's asking me to attack more, that's my job after all - to make the difference, as it were, to be more decisive

"Things are working out well for the other attackers as well. I hope we can continue to be as effective and efficient."

However, that does not mean Solskjaer has not spotted room for improvement and Martial is keen to respond to demands that he scores more "ugly" goals.

"He's often said that to me and even previous managers have said that to me," he added.

"I think if I do manage to do that [and] get beyond the defence then I will score more goals."

However, he is wary of risking those who are showing signs of fatigue, with a Coupe de France meeting with Dijon and a league game at Caen to come before the Champions League last-16 second leg against Manchester United on March 6.

"Only Neymar and Cavani will be absent. All the others are available," he said. "There is fatigue and some small injuries, but nothing serious.

"[Thomas] Meunier will definitely be back and [Juan] Bernat is available.

"There are some guys who have played six or seven consecutive matches. We must be attentive and take stock with the medical staff and players.

Liverpool will attempt to become the second team to beat Manchester United under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Sunday following Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League victory at Old Trafford.

A composed 2-0 win, featuring goals from Presnel Kimpembe and Kylian Mbappe for the Ligue 1 giants, won the admiration of Jurgen Klopp.

But the Liverpool boss is unsure to what extent the circumstances of that game can be replicated after United were derailed mid-match by injuries to influential attackers Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial – both of whom are in line to return as Klopp's men aim to avoid defeat and return to the top of the Premier League.

"Result-wise [PSG] were the only team, but Tottenham played a pretty good game against United to be honest," he told a news conference, referencing United's 1-0 win at Wembley where goalkeeper David de Gea excelled.

"PSG were pretty cool with the ball, passed a lot, they were really confident, good positioning, passing through the lines and scoring in the right moment."

United returned to winning ways with a superb 2-0 triumph at Chelsea in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Monday.

Klopp felt that showed how much the injuries to Lingard and Martial hindered Solskjaer when he was forced into changes on the run, in contrast to the smoothly operating game plan he put together for the trip to Stamford Bridge.

“You saw against Chelsea that United could play pretty well without Lingard and Martial. That was a proper line-up with [Juan] Mata and [Romelu] Lukaku coming in.

"But changing in the game is different and you cannot really adapt. They played the last six or seven games before that with the same line-up and then they had to adapt in 15 minutes, and it didn't really work out.

"PSG used that, it was a bit of luck for PSG but they played a really good game. They were very demanding, looked in charge in most situations and didn't give a lot of counter-attacks away, which is a very big thing against United.

"Whichever line-up they have, whoever they play will attack quickly on the offensive wings. You need to be 100 per cent concentrated, and PSG did well, scored good goals in the right moments and that always helps in football."

Klopp will welcome back Virgil van Dijk after his star centre-back sat out Tuesday's 0-0 draw at home to Bayern Munich in the Champions League through suspension.

Fellow defenders Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez remain sidelined, but the former Borussia Dortmund boss reported fitness concerns are decreasing elsewhere in his squad ahead of a pivotal period in the season.

"Dejan is not in, Joe is not in, and I think pretty much all the rest are in training," he added.

"Rhian Brewster is only in little parts, Ox [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain] is in bigger parts but not ready to play. The rest should be.

"Usually now I get a message that somebody is ill, so I am a bit nervous about that, but until now I didn't hear anything!"

AEK Athens have been hit with a one-season ban from European competition after fan violence in a Champions League game against Ajax, but UEFA has suspended the punishment for two years.

Home fans were pictured throwing flares and other missiles into the away section of the Olympic Stadium ahead of November's group game between the sides, which Ajax won 2-0.

Some images showed flames erupting on the terrace and riot police were also seen striking Ajax fans, some of whom were left with bloodied faces.

AEK were charged by UEFA following the game and the organisation's Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body announced the Greek club's punishment on Friday.

A statement said: "The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body has decided: To exclude AEK Athens from participating in the next UEFA club competition for which it will otherwise qualify. This sanction is suspended for a probationary period of two years.

"To order the club to play its next two UEFA competition matches as host club behind closed doors. To fine AEK Athens €80,000."

Ajax were also charged by UEFA after the game but proceedings against the Dutch club have now been closed.

AEK are third in the Greek Super League after 21 rounds of games, sitting outside the Champions League qualification places.

"Our club apologised publicly and immediately, and recognised its part of responsibility about what happened," said a club statement in response to UEFA's punishment.

"The most important thing for all of us is to realise and think about that this decision does not mean the end of this incident, but the beginning of an extremely difficult road of complete compliance with the actual meaning of this decision, along with the need of taking drastic action in order to avoid finding ourselves at this position ever again, because in that case there will be no return!"